Press Release

Media Contact:

Kenneth L. Thompson

Phone: 410-244-7575

info@bpdmonitor.com www.bpdmonitor.com

DEPARTURE OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL HARRISON

(Baltimore, MD)- The Baltimore Police Consent Decree Monitoring Team has enjoyed a positive and productive relationship with Commissioner Michael Harrison. During his tenure, the Police Department has made significant progress on the road to compliance with the Decree. We congratulate Commissioner Harrison on his highly successful term leading the Baltimore Police Department.

 

The Monitoring Team has also enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Deputy Commissioner Richard Worley. We know that he appreciates that the Consent Decree, with all of it various requirements, is a Federal court order with which the Police Department and the City must comply. We look forward to continuing our productive relationship with the Baltimore Police Department under Commissioner Worley‘s leadership, and we look forward to the not-too-distant day when US District Court finds the City and the Department in full compliance.

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The Baltimore Police Monitoring Team oversees the implementation of the Consent Decree – a judicially-enforceable agreement – between the Baltimore City Police Department, the City of Baltimore

and the United States. The Consent Decree requires BPD to adopt a number of specific reforms aimed at ensuring effective, safe, and constitutional policing. The Monitoring Team’s job is to help the Court gauge whether, consistent with the Consent Decree’s objectives, BPD is achieving meaningful reform by making tangible changes in its policies and practices for the benefit of Baltimoreans. The Monitoring Team also provides technical assistance to BPD as it seeks to implement the reforms required by the Consent Decree. The Monitoring Team includes specialists in policing and police reform, civil rights enforcement, psychology, social science, organizational change, data and technology, and community engagement.

Public Statement in Response to Officer Assault of Civilian on May 29, 2020

The Monitoring Team is aware of the incident last night involving a BPD officer, on video, apparently punching a woman outside BPD HQs after the woman appeared to have punched another officer. We have been in touch with Commissioner Harrison about it. We have been informed that BPD immediately suspended the officer and referred the case to the State’s Attorney’s Office for investigation. The Monitoring Team will continue to watch this situation and remains as committed as ever to actively monitoring all situations like this.

Baltimore Sun Article Published December 26, 2019

CRIME In 2020, Baltimore residents will start to see police Consent Decree reforms in action. But delays remain. Baltimore Sun article published December 26, 2019.

Baltimore residents should start to see the Police Department’s consent decree reforms on the street for the first time in 2020, but many key initiatives are delayed as well.

Officers have been trained on a new use of force policy this year, and they are expected to be taught new policies this year on stops, searches and arrests; fair and impartial policing; and behavioral health. More than 200 officers are expected to receive additional week-long training in crisis intervention.

“When those trainings come into play, the community should start to feel benefits,” said Deputy Chief Daniel Murphy, a civilian who was brought to Baltimore earlier this year by Commissioner Michael Harrison to oversee the reform process……………